Guam’s Republican State Convention on Saturday selected its delegates headed for July’s National Republican Convention in Ohio.

Guam GOP members who filled the Dusit Thani Guam Resort’s Convention Center also got to hear from presidential hopefuls looking for their support.

Island Republicans will send nine voting delegates and six alternates to the national convention. GOP members, however, were voting for only six delegates and six alternates, because three delegates were previously selected to attend — outgoing Republican Party Chairman Mike Benito, David Sablan and former Guam delegate hopeful Margaret Metcalfe.

Although nominated by a member of the body, Gov. Eddie Calvo was voted in as a delegate by acclamation, instead of by ballot.

The rest of the election took place via ballot, where each village cast their five votes. Each village sent their own representatives for the elections.

Presidential hopefuls

Before the election convened, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s wife, Heidi Cruz, called in on his behalf, addressing the crowd over the phone.

Although having the endorsement from the island’s governor, Ted Cruz continues to trail behind Republican front-runner Donald Trump. Ted Cruz also released a statement handed out at the convention, identifying Guam as having strategic importance to the U.S.

“It is time that we treat it as such,” Ted Cruz said in the statement. “Close consultation with Guam’s government by the federal government on issues that significantly affect Guam has been sorely lacking. That will change in a Cruz Administration.”

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Ohio Governor and Republican presidential hopeful John Kasich phones into the Guam Republican State Convention on March 12.
Lacee A.C. Martinez/PDN

Ohio Gov. John Kasich was next to phone into the convention. He spoke on his relationship to the island, via working beside the late Guam Delegate Ben Blaz on the Armed Services Committee.

“I have such great memories in having worked with him and he was always encouraging me and calling me Johnny most of the time,” Kasich said of Blaz.

Kasich also spoke specifically on military spending and opportunities and care for combat veterans.

“I want you to know I do have a plan to balance the budget but in that plan. ... I will set aside a $100 billion for increased military spending so that we can have a very strong military. We want to make sure that money goes out there to actually support our men and women on the front line.”

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio didn’t call in, but sent a two-and-a-half-minute long video addressing the Guam crowd.

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Island Republicans listen to U.S. Senator and Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio's message to Guam at the Republican State Convention.
Lacee A.C. Martinez/PDN

“The road we are on right now will leave our children as the first in American history to inherit a country worse off than the one their parents lived in,” Rubio said in the video. “This is an unacceptable outcome. That’s why the time has come to turn the page, to leave behind outdated leaders of most political parties, leaders that are out of touch with life in America today, and elect a new generation of leaders with new ideas for a new era.”

Trump phoned in last, relating to the Guam Republicans with his experience owning luxury hotels.

“I understand the tourism industry better than anyone else who’s ever run for president,” Trump said. “I thought it was very, very important to call in. I didn’t want to give it to one of my assistants to do it. It’s very, very, important if we can get Guam and the delegates. And I will never forget you people.”